Progresses in Different Rates: Global Development of Secondary Education Attendance and the Impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic, 2000-2022

Bin Lian, East China University of Science And Technology
Soo-Yeon Yoon, Sonoma State University

Over the past two decades, global social development has made significant progresses, including achievements in secondary education attendance. However, the Covid-19 pandemic presented a major challenge, severely disrupting secondary education. This study analyzes global trends in secondary education enrollment from 2000 to 2022, focusing on the pandemic's impact and exploring disparities in secondary education attendance across different social groups. Using data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) and Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), we examined trends in secondary education attendance and variations by family financial resources, cultural capital, and urban versus rural residence. Our findings reveal a steady increase in attendance rates prior to the pandemic, followed by a notable decline during 2020-2022. The impact of Covid-19 on secondary education varied across social groups; adolescents from affluent families, those with better-educated household heads, or those living in urban areas were less affected by disruptions to educational opportunities. The pandemic not only influenced but also exacerbated existing inequalities within the social and educational systems. The missed learning opportunities for this cohort of adolescents are likely to have long-term consequences for their life trajectories, skills development, and employment prospects.

Keywords: Population and Development, Population, Shocks and Pandemics, Human Capital, Education, and Work, Families, Unions and Households

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